Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
The Details of Order a birth, marriage, or death certificate
the Contents of the Order a birth, marriage, or death certificate page
Before making a request for a vital record, you
will need: You may also be required to provide documentation showing how your relation to the subject of the record, if you're a legal guardian or representative. RVRS administers and
issues copies of vital records that occurred in Massachusetts from 1931 to the present. Records for events that occurred from 1841–1930 are available from the State Archives. All records at the State Archives are public records. Earlier records may be available at the city or town of occurrence. Some city and
town records are available from as early as 1635. View all fees and shipping information. Please make checks payable to Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Request an online order from VitalChek. Requests will typically process in 7–10 business days, or can expedite your order for next day service.What you need for Order a birth, marriage, or death certificate
Years available
Fees for Order a birth, marriage, or death certificate
NameFeeUnit Online or by phone
$51
for first copy
Online or by phone
$42
per additional copy
By mail
$32
per copy
In person
$20
per copy
How to order Order a birth, marriage, or death certificate
Questions? View the VitalChek Help Center.
Call VitalChek: (617) 740-2606
Call toll free: (866) 300-8535
Note: Research is not available via phone.
Questions? View the VitalChek Help Center.
Send your completed vital records mail order form and a check or money order payable to Commonwealth of Massachusetts to:
Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
150 Mt. Vernon St.
1st Floor
Dorchester, MA 02125
Orders will be processed within 30 business days of receipt. To get your order within 7–10 business days, address your envelope to the attention of Expedited Mail Service. Refer to the Vital Records Service Fees (PDF) l (DOC) for expedited shipping fees.
Note: Research is not available via expedited mail service.
You can order certified records at the Registry counter Monday–Friday 8:45 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
You will be asked to pay by check or money order.
Visit the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.
Next steps for Order a birth, marriage, or death certificate
We will send you a Negative Statement. You will need this to establish delayed records.
More info for Order a birth, marriage, or death certificate
Only certified copies of records are issued by the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, regardless of intended use.
The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics maintains indexes and records on site at the Registry offices. There is no specific records information or index online.
If you are looking for Vital Record information but do not need or want a certified copy we have genealogical research hours available.
Access to records of births to unwed parents is restricted to the:
- Child
- Parents
- Father not listed on the record (this requires documentation supporting paternity)
- Legal guardian (this requires documentation supporting guardianship)
- Legal representative (this requires documentation supporting representation)
Access to marriage records of a person born to unwed parents is restricted to the:
- Bride
- Groom
- Legal representative (this requires documentation supporting representation)
- Parents
- Legal guardians (this requires documentation supporting guardianship)
Access to birth records prior to adoption is restricted to the:
- Adoptees who were born in Massachusetts on or before July 17, 1974.
- An adult child (18 years or older) of a deceased parent who was an adoptee born in
- Massachusetts on or before July 17, 1974.
- The parent or legal guardian of a child (under 18 years of age) whose deceased parent was an adoptee born in Massachusetts on or before July 14, 1974.
- The adoptive parent of a child (under 18 years of age) born in Massachusetts on or after January 1, 2008.
Downloads for Order a birth, marriage, or death certificate
Contact for Order a birth, marriage, or death certificate
- Apply for a pre-adoption birth record
- Learn about records available through the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS)
- Learn about conducting genealogical research
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ORDER TYPE | FEES (per copy) |
Online or Phone Orders | $45 + $8 vendor processing fee per transaction (not per copy) |
Walk-in Orders | $45 |
Mail Orders | $30 |